Ferrari showed off its new Formula One car with former champion Michael Schumacher unable to keep away and taking a sneak preview in the workshop.

Schumacher can't resist peeking at new Ferrari

Schumacher, the seven-time world champion who retired at the end of last season, travelled from Milan to the team's factory near Modena with managing director Jean Todt but kept a low profile.

"Michael is in the workshop, having a look at the car," Todt said.

"Maybe he would like to sit in it. I'm joking, of course, as he will look at it from a different perspective - no longer as a driver," the Frenchman added.

Schumacher is continuing to work with Ferrari as a consultant although it is not yet clear exactly what form that collaboration will take.

"We are taking advantage of having him here . . . He is an asset for us," said Todt, who did not rule out Schumacher taking a spin in the car at some stage.

"If he wants to drive it, of course we will give him that pleasure," he said.

Todt said the new car featured several improvements with Ferrari technical staff pinpointing aerodynamics, suspension and the gearbox as the key areas to be focused on.

"On all levels I see improvements but of course we need to verify those with the physical tests," Todt said.

Ferrari's Brazilian driver Felipe Massa was due to carry out the first tests of the new F-2007 on the team's Fiorano track early this week.

"I get a good feeling from looking at the car and now we need to get on with running it and carrying out our program," Massa said.

"It's a beautiful car and there are a lot of changes in the details.

"The front suspension of the car is quite different."

The Italian team said that the various changes to the car meant it had increased weight from last season by almost 10 kilograms.

Schumacher's replacement, Kimi Raikkonen, who has joined Ferrari from rivals McLaren, said he was not yet sure when he would test the car but said that he was looking forward to watching Massa put it through its paces.

"I'll be here and I will be interested to see the new car running," the Finn said. "It looks very nice but, of course, that doesn't tell the full story.